Bolton Wanderers boss calls for squad to stay 'on script'

The Bolton boss began his summer clear-out yesterday with the release of four first teamers, including Ricardo Santos, Gethin Jones, Nathan Baxter and Joel Coleman.

Contract options have also been taken up on Max Conway, Sonny Sharples-Ahmed, Jack Dallimore and Sean Hogan, and a new deal offered to keeper Luke Hutchinson.

Nine B Team players have also been released, including wing-back Luke Matheson, and loanees Kion Etete, Jay Matete and Alex Murphy have returned to their parent clubs.

Looking ahead to next season, Schumacher is keen to imprint his own brand of football on the squad but says he will require a group of players who can more readily stick to tactical instruction.

Though injuries meant he had to draft several younger players up to the first team in the final weeks of the campaign, he admitted that even at full strength the team was lacking organisation.

Speaking to the Bolton News, he said: “It is difficult when we have used a lot of younger, inexperienced players but we have tried to stick to a plan.

“I spoke to a friend of mine a few weeks ago, and he said some of your players just pop up in different areas of the pitch, which can cause teams a problem, but can be a problem for you if and when you lose the ball, which quite often happens.

“It can all go off-script, which we don't really want. I want to encourage freedom in the final third, but to get there it has got to be built from a structure. Sometimes our structure goes a little bit missing.

“It isn’t so much indiscipline from the players as just a bit of a lack of structure. It is where you need to be on passing the ball, are you always keeping things simple. I'm big for that, rather than making the hardest pass or taking four touches when you only needed one, which we do quite a lot.”

After meeting with players and his staff, Schumacher has also set in motion the club’s recruitment plan with sporting director Fergal Harkin.

He is now looking forward to what comes next.

“This is the challenge, this is what I knew I was coming here to do,” he said. “It was what I was really excited about, and I still am.

“Yes, we haven’t achieved what we wanted to this season, we can’t hide away from that. But we've got to put it right for next season, so I can’t wait to get back to work.”

Wanderers will hold their annual service of remembrance at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Monday, May 12 at 6.30pm.

Led by club chaplain Phil Mason the service will be held at pitch-side where a wreath will be laid before continuing in the 1877 Suite. 

Light refreshments will be served following the service which is free to attend with no tickets required. Stewards will also be on hand to help attendees on arrival.